Fang Chu was silent for a long time, and there was no reply.

He was going to Yan's house, but when he met the Guo family's carriage, he was overjoyed and remembered the rumors outside, and he was afraid that he would be dumb and embarrassed to meet, so he stopped moving. Later, when he saw his mother's carriage go in, he missed her, but he was afraid that she would be sad to see him now, so he was afraid of being close to home. After looking forward to the future, he never stepped into the door of the Yan family.

At this time, he hesitated for a while, and finally said, "No." ”

Hei Feng said, "Steward Zhou just sent a letter. ”

Fang Chu hurriedly asked, "What do you say?" ”

His gaze was condensed and sharpened.

Hei Feng said: "A total of fifteen workshops have been discontinued. This is from the city of Xiazhao. News from elsewhere has not yet come. ”

Fang Chu asked, "What about Steward Zhou?" ”

Hei Feng said: "Now Nancheng Qingshi Lane has taken over a shop. ”

After a pause, he added, "There is one more thing: the silver is gone." ”

Fang Chu fell silent again, but his expression was not anxious.

In any line, there are not only the leaders of the line with outstanding reputation, but also the end of the line that is struggling to make a living, and the silk weaving industry is the same: in addition to the top ten brocade merchants, Huzhou and Linhuzhou small workshops are like crucian carp across the river, and there are countless of them. These workshops or three or five relatives and friends cooperate, and there are only a few machines; Or a single family. Although the brocade is not as bright as the brocade merchants, it has its own corresponding merchants and customers to buy.

However, the world is difficult, and every day and every month, workshops are closed or swallowed up.

And silently, a workshop was suddenly established, and even arose. Such as the Guo family.

Fang Chu is now pouring all his strength into buying such small workshops.

He stood up and said in a deep voice, "Go." Check it out. ”

The master and servant settled the bill, went out of the side door of the tavern, and walked down the alley to the river.

There. There was a canopy boat waiting.

The tavern shopkeeper stood by the door with a smile on his face, secretly thinking that this master had spent a long time here, and he didn't see anything to do or eat, so he rewarded him with five taels of silver before leaving, which was really generous. Shaking his head, he guessed that he was a noble son who was out hanging out. went outside to spend the spring, anyway, he got the benefits, so he went back and didn't mention it.

Fang Chu's master and servant took a canopy boat. Half an hour later, they landed on the shore at a stone staircase in the south of the city. He tied the boat, went ashore with Black Wind, and entered a hall from the backyard.

I heard a voice from the front. Among them is the Zhou Steward.

He didn't go out either. Walk to the window and look out.

I saw that there was a patio outside, and there were men and women carrying goods from each room to the front door, and a twelve or thirteen-year-old leather boy stood in the courtyard and Zhou Steward didn't know what to say, and there were two children next to him, as well as a middle-aged man with a monkey head and a monkey brain.

I heard the boy say, "Uncle, my sister's brocade craftsmanship is the best in this area." If you don't believe it, ask this master, he knows best. ”

He confidently turned to the middle-aged man, hoping that he would help him speak fairly.

The master squinted and sneered: "Okay! Very good! It's better than that Guo Weaver Girl's craftsmanship! It's a pity. This Zhou Ye doesn't hire people, people only buy people. I've just said it. It's just your second son. The skin is thicker than the city walls, and they beg over and over again. Since you refuse to sell your sister, you should guard her and wait for her to take the lead in the brocade conference to help you fight for face. Maybe if you're lucky, you can also be named a 'Weaver Girl' by the emperor. Then your second son is not angry! ”

His tone was not without complaints, but it seemed that he had a grudge against Niu Erzi.

A girl carrying things ran over in the upper room and said hurriedly: "Second son, don't say it!" ”

She is probably the second sister, who was secretly damaged by the master, ashamed and embarrassed,

Niu Erzi said proudly: "That is, my sister is not as good as the Weaver Girl, and she is not worse than others." ”

The cow girl couldn't stop him, and her face was red with shame.

Let him blow it hard, Steward Zhou was not moved, and said apologetically: "Little brother, I'm sorry, we don't hire female workers." He had explained it clearly before, but these two sons were crooked.

The cow girl also knew her brother's temperament, and bowed her head deeply.

Niu Erzi was not discouraged, rolled his eyes, and asked again: "What about the uncle's view of me-" He straightened his small chest and showed his demeanor-"The salary I want is not high, and it is okay to help run errands or do miscellaneous things." There is no place in the streets and alleys of this Xiazhao City that I am not familiar with. Ten miles and eight towns outside the city, I also have a clear ......"

Steward Zhou still shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, we don't hire people." ”

Niu Erzi saw that he didn't leak a drop of water, and he couldn't make sense, so he turned to Master Gao again.

He discussed: "Master, you don't want to do this business anymore, and you don't want a few broken looms, and it will cost you money to move away, so it's better to sell them to me, and save you a lot of things." ”

Gao Ye glared and scolded: "What do you kid want to do?" Goose plucking? Dream on! I just split the loom and burned it as firewood, and I won't sell it to you. ――Can you give me a few copper plates? It's not like I'm lying to me for nothing! ”

Niu Erzi hurriedly said: "Look at it, you still have this stinky temper, hurting others and yourself, why bother!" It's going to be changed. If you have been willing to listen to my idea, this shop must not be sold. Now that it's all sold, why are you still holding on? I'm not asking you to give it away for nothing, let's estimate the price......"

As he spoke, he grabbed his sleeve and dragged him into the west wing.

As if he had been stepped on and sore his feet, Gao Ye scolded: "Fart! What can you kid think......"

Pulling, pulling, and reluctantly entering the West Chamber with Niu Erzi.

Fang Chu heard Niu Erzi's voice from the West Chamber, what "this machine is about to fall apart", "this machine is broken", etc., sandwiched by Gao Ye's "nonsense" and "blind", and quarreled endlessly.

He listened for a while, and motioned to Hei Feng to call Steward Zhou to question.

Steward Zhou came in and briefly replied to the process of buying the workshop.

There is nothing to say, but to take over the house, as well as a small amount of raw silk and plain silk, brocade and other stocks, and two weavers, such as the cow girl, are not among them.

Fang Chu asked a few words about Niu Erzi's situation, and then ordered him to come and see him.

Steward Zhou was surprised, but he still called someone according to his words.

Niu Erzi came soon, his sister thought that she was not at ease, and she also brought her two younger brothers to follow, standing at the door, looking at Fang Chu hesitantly, not knowing what he was looking for her younger brother.

Niu Erzi and Gao Ye talked about it again, but there was no look of depression on his face. When he saw Fang Chu, his eyes suddenly lit up: this son's eyes were calm and his bearing was like that, he was really a good character. He is like a girl who has just fallen in love, and he can't open his eyes when he meets a teenager who falls in love at first sight.

Fang Chu didn't say anything, let him look at him, and also looked at him.

Niu Erzi's evaluation of Fang Chu: This is a capable gold owner!

Fang Chu's evaluation of Niu Erzi: This is a little splash with a tough personality!

After the evaluation of the two sides, Fang Chu spoke first and asked, "Can you tell me, what to do with those broken looms?" If it makes sense, I'll help you buy it. ”

He heard from Steward Zhou that the loom of this house was dilapidated and would have been eliminated, otherwise they would have accepted it, and it was strange that Niu Erzi would want it. (To be continued.) )